Black Women have been celebrated as superior athletes in this country for generations. From Flo-Jo to Venus and Serena Williams, society has become comfortable embracing black women’s athleticism. On the court is one thing, but there’s another arena in sports where some ladies are making themselves at home: the front office. From ownership to community outreach African-American women are calling the shots in the NFL and NBA. No doubt they’re playing to win.
Sheila Johnson
In 2000, Robert “Bob” Johnson sold BET to Viacom for $3 billion. That move made his then wife Sheila the first African- American female billionaire. Since the sale of the company and the divorce Sheila Johnson has become an entrepreneurial phenomenon. Among her many business endeavors is Monumental Sports & Entertainment, where she serves as vice chairman. As such she claims majority ownership of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and minority ownership of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals. She is the first black woman to hold a stake in three professional sports teams.
